Workforce investment funds promote “green” jobs for young people

PITTSBURGH — Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato today announced 600 summer jobs for youth in Allegheny County thanks to a $1.87 million grant from the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).

“Thanks to this grant, 600 young people in Allegheny County will get a good summer job, and they’ll also help us with a number of our green initiatives,” said Onorato. “Summer job programs prepare youth for success in the workforce and foster solid and safe communities. It’s a win-win situation for young people and the County as a whole.”

The summer job program is open to disadvantaged youth between the ages of 14 and 24 who live in Allegheny County. Emphasis will be placed on disadvantaged youth or those from low-income communities. Foster care youth and alumni will also be given special consideration.

“The additional funds received through WIA will not only allow us to provide new opportunities for our youth, but will also enhance what we already have in place through the Department of Human Services,” said DHS Director Marc Cherna. “Many of the summer programs will bolster the efforts of our non-profit agencies, support our green initiatives and provide on-the-job training. Most importantly, they will help youth, such as those who are in foster care, to develop skills to carry them into their adult lives.”

The programs range from four to 10 weeks in length, and the specific age of eligibility varies with each program. Many of the summer programs follow the County’s green initiative and focus on areas such as landscaping, gardening, conservation and other environmental projects.  Others are geared more toward training and work experience in child care, health education, first-aid, and money management. All of the programs serve to build good work habits, as well as problem solving and social skills for future employment. 

Pre-applications are available at CareerLink offices and Summer Youth Program sites. The CareerLink office in Forest Hills will serve as the hub for information, referral and processing of the applications. Enrollment is limited to 600 youth.

Information about specific eligibility requirements for the various programs is available at the Forest Hills CareerLink site. For more information about the summer youth programs, contact The Forest Hills CareerLink Youth Hotline at 412-436-2321 or visit the Allegheny County Department of Human Services web site at www.alleghenycounty.us/dhs/wiayouth.aspx.

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